You probably already know the federal guidelines for being physically active, but if you don’t here the are:

If you’re over 19 years old: at least 30 minutes of moderate-vigorous aerobic activity almost every day of the week + 2 days a week of muscle strengthening activity.

If you’re under 19 years old: at least 60 minutes of moderate-vigorous aerobic activity almost every day of the week + 2 days a week of muscle strengthening activity.

Let’s Get Real #1: Ask yourself – do you get at least 30 min of aerobic activity almost every day? Not everyone does, and there are several reasons this could be. We’ll touch on those later.

Let’s Get Real #2: Moderate-vigororous activity means you should be sweating. This does not include a 2 minute walk up the Memorial Steps! While research does show that adding up spurts of physical activity can meet the guidelines, it needs to be in amounts of 10 minutes or more.

Let’s Get Real #3: Muscle strengthening activity is not a few push-ups every morning. Your workout can include this, but needs to be more. The good thing is you can do a workout in your room easily- add squats, lunges, arm exercises w/low-weight dumbbells, and abdominals together for a dynamic routine.

Let’s Get Real #4: The reasons for not getting active as a Tufts student:

1. Time. Going to work out at the gym takes more than 30 minutes, partly because it’s not in a central location.

Walking there: 10 min

Changing: 5 min

Working out: at least 30 min

Changing: 5 min

Walking home: 10 min

2. The gym isn’t a comfortable place for you. You may not know what to do with the equipment or find it overwhelming.

3. Working out isn’t a priority for you.

Come back on Thursday to find out how you can get around these barriers and meet your physical activity recommendations at Tufts!!! Stay tuned….